Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967 - 1814-1935
Helen M. Waldon
Helen M. Waldon demanded discipline, commanded respect and was "Mama Waldon" to the youngsters she watched over during her 15 years as superintendent of the former Protestant Children's Home on Dauphin Street in Mobile.
The Merdes, La., native had lived in Mobile for 54 years. She died Jan. 1 in Ardmore, Okla., after an extended illness. Graveside services took place Tuesday at Holly Creek Cemetery in Broken Bow, Okla.
Mrs. Waldon, 84, moved to Oklahoma in 1995 to be near her brother after she fell and broke her hip.
During her time in Mobile, she touched hundreds of lives through her work at the children's home and as a resident manager at the YWCA, friends said.
Mary Helen Pierce of Satsuma grew up at the children's home and fondly remembered Mrs. Waldon and the children's home.
"It was just a wonderful place to grow up, " she said.
Mrs. Pierce said she had kept up with staffers who had been at the home when she lived there. Mrs. Waldon had been the last survivor and for a number of years spent her Christmas Eve nights with the Pierces.
Mrs. Pierce remembered Mrs. Waldon as an optimist even when things were bad.
"She could give you the best advice of anyone I knew, " Mrs. Pierce recalled. "She was like a mother we didn't have. She was just a real special person."
Mrs. Pierce's husband, Lamar, first encountered Mama Waldon when he dated several of the girls who lived at the home.
"She was a mama to those young'uns. She cared about them, " he said. "If she said have the girls in by 10 p.m., she didn't mean 10:15 p.m., she meant quarter 'til."
Mrs. Pierce recounted the times when Mrs. Waldon would take the children downtown. "When we walked downtown, we walked in a straight line behind her in her spiked heels."
When Mrs. Waldon took the children out, she was like a little mother duck with her chicks behind her, agreed Pearl Walker of Mobile, who also grew up in the home.
Mama Waldon always insisted that the children behave themselves at all times and that the girls act like ladies at all times, said Mrs. Walker.
"She had a look she could give you that could turn you to stone. You knew you were in trouble. But she was fair and loving, " she recalled.
Mrs. Waldon was at the home from about 1945 to about 1961, according to Mrs. Walker, who lived there from 1953 to 1965.
"I wouldn't trade my experience there for anything and it's because of her, " Mrs. Walker said.
After graduating from high school, Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Walker both lived at the YWCA for a time and Mrs. Waldon was serving as the resident manager.
"She was back in her element, " Mrs. Walker said.
Clemont Peavy of Mobile worked on the housekeeping staff at the YWCA and became fast friends with Mrs. Waldon. After Mrs. Waldon left the YWCA, Mrs. Peavy would visit and assisted her whenever she needed help.
"She was a wonderful person. I will miss her dearly because I used to go and sit and talk, " Mrs. Peavy said.
Friends remembered Mrs. Waldon as a gifted painter who also enjoyed working with ceramics. Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Walker both have some of her paintings. Mrs. Waldon also enjoyed sewing and crocheting.
She had been involved with the Toastmistress Club and the former Fine Arts Museum of the South. She was a member of First Christian Church.
Survivors include her brother, Claud Taylor of Ardmore; and a grandson.
[Published date: 01/09/1999]
Eric Anderson
Eric Anderson, a native and lifelong resident of Mobile, died Wednesday after being struck by a train. The Williamson High School senior was 18.
He is survived by his mother, Etor Anderson Lee; three sisters, Deloris Cameron Jackson, Sharon Anderson, and Marshall Richardson; and three brothers, Sgt. Keith Anderson, William LaBarron Anderson and Carter Lewis.
Viewing will be from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Christian Benevolent Funeral Home, and at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Gilead Baptist Church, with visitation to follow from 10 to 11 a.m. Services will follow at the church, with burial at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
[Published date: 01/10/1999]
Henry L. Herbert
Henry Louis Herbert, a New Orleans native and Mobile resident, died Saturday at a Robertsdale health care facility. Herbert, a retired Mobile Press Register pressman, was 90.
He is survived by his daughter, Gail Bidwell of Mobile; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Private services are planned in Bay St. Louis, Miss. The family asks that memorial donations be made in Herbert's name to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Arrangements are by Radney Funeral Home in Mobile.
[Published date: 01/10/1999]
Cedric O. Johnson
Cedric Orlando Johnson, a Mobile native and resident, died Wednesday at a local hospital. He was 43.
He is survived by his father, Isaac Green of Mobile; one daughter, Genice Cunningham of Moss Point, Miss.; one sister, Gloria McDonald of Mobile; two brothers, Ronald Johnson of Sacramento, Calif., and Eric Jones of Mobile; his step-father, Scott McQuorter of Mobile; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home in Prichard, with services following at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.
[Published date: 01/10/1999]
Frieda B. Starkey
Frieda B. Starkey, a native and lifelong resident of Peru, Ill., died Friday at her son's home in Mobile. She was 88.
Mrs. Starkey was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Peru and the Quarter Century Club. She was employed with Westclox for many years.
She is survived by one son, W.F. "Bill" Starkey of Mobile; one brother, Arthur Leshewski of LaSalle, Ill.; one sister, Lorraine Heinz of Rockford, Ill.; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later time in Peru, Ill. Memorials should be made to Zion United Church of Christ, Corner of Grant and 6th Street, Peru, IL 61354. Radney Funeral Home in Mobile is handling arrangements.
[Published date: 01/10/1999]
John Bertolotti Jr.
Local attorney John Bertolotti Jr. died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at the age of 47.
A lifelong Mobilian, Bertolotti had practiced law in Mobile for many years. His memberships included the Mobile Bar Association and Alabama Bar Association.
He had also been affiliated with the Downtown Mobile Business and Professional Association.
He was a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law.
Survivors include his wife, Rhoda Bertolotti of Mobile; and his sister, M.E. "Mary Lou" Klockenkemper of Lakeland, Fla.
Arrangements will be announced by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
[Published date: 01/12/1999]
